Concours d'Elegance Part II

Carol Freshley August 26, 2016

The fun continues!

A Deusenberg Roadster.  Can't you just see Clark Gable driving this? — A Deusenberg Roadster. Can't you just see Clark Gable driving this?

A Delahaye Roadster with full skirted fenders and adjustable windshield height.

This is a streamlined Delahaye roadster with a body by Chabron.

This is a Cadillac powered HWM built in 1954, raced in England and New Zealand up until 1970.

There are Delahayes with Chabron bodies all lined up.

This is one of the featured marques this year, a Lamborghini Miura.

Front detail of a Lamborghini Miura.  This model is considered the first supercar in the sports car world and the most beautiful by many design experts. — Front detail of a Lamborghini Miura. This model is considered the first supercar in the sports car world and the most beautiful by many design experts.

Another two seat Indy 500 race car.  This one had a 16 cylinder engine. — Another two seat Indy 500 race car. This one had a 16 cylinder engine.

A Chabron bodied Delahaye parked in the awards line!

Detail showing how long a Horch hood really is.

It's a Stutz!!  (You knew that, right?) — It's a Stutz!! (You knew that, right?)

A rainbow car!  Well, it really is a Ford GT 40. — A rainbow car! Well, it really is a Ford GT 40.

Concours Tour

Carol Freshley August 20, 2016

One of Tom's favorite events during CAR week, as the locals refer to this week, is the Tour. In past years the tour was about twice the distance as this year and cars completing the tour got points towards the prize. This year the distance was shortened because of fires in the area. It also was 'optional' meaning that points would not be awarded for completing the Tour. Nonetheless, many cars lined up and 'toured'. They are accompanied by police escorts but traffic is not held up and regular cars can find themselves driving alongside these fabulous cars.

The Tour is conducted with two groups.  Tom had scouted out the road where the cars both come and then return.  Here we see the first group (right side) returning and the second group coming by for the first time.  That black car can … — The Tour is conducted with two groups. Tom had scouted out the road where the cars both come and then return. Here we see the first group (right side) returning and the second group coming by for the first time. That black car can only wonder how he got into this crowd!

This is a Delahaye at the starting line.  The French coach builders in the 1930s would accept a chassis from a high manufacturer and custom build a body for a very wealthy customer.  They were the first streamlined cars and other builders … — This is a Delahaye at the starting line. The French coach builders in the 1930s would accept a chassis from a high manufacturer and custom build a body for a very wealthy customer. They were the first streamlined cars and other builders followed their lead. This is one of Tom's favorite cars.

Adding a bit o' color to the line up.  It is another Delahaye.  It is one of the featured marques at this year's Concourse. — Adding a bit o' color to the line up. It is another Delahaye. It is one of the featured marques at this year's Concourse.

A Dusenberg, the biggest, fastest and most expensive car made in the world in the early '30s.  They are so large that the comment, "It's a Doozy" was derived from this car. — A Dusenberg, the biggest, fastest and most expensive car made in the world in the early '30s. They are so large that the comment, "It's a Doozy" was derived from this car.

In line and showing off.  A two passenger Indy 500 race car, another featured class this year. — In line and showing off. A two passenger Indy 500 race car, another featured class this year.

There were crowds along the road where safety permitted people gathering.  These folks waved and smiled. — There were crowds along the road where safety permitted people gathering. These folks waved and smiled.

Deusenberg touring car.  Top of the line! — Deusenberg touring car. Top of the line!

Unknown make but Tom believes it is a Ferrari due to the egg crate grill.

Another Deusenberg touring with the top down.

A 1937 Cord Sedan.  Cord was the first American car with a front wheel drive. — A 1937 Cord Sedan. Cord was the first American car with a front wheel drive.

A Type 57 Bugatti, the most rare and desirable model of the older Bugattis.  The original cost could have been around $10,000 (so much that only kings could afford it. — A Type 57 Bugatti, the most rare and desirable model of the older Bugattis. The original cost could have been around $10,000 (so much that only kings could afford it.

A Deucenburg.  I wonder . . . since it is red if it can go faster? — A Deucenburg. I wonder . . . since it is red if it can go faster?

Tom had to really hustle when they started passing each other coming and going!!

A Delahaye.  This is the standard body from the factor. — A Delahaye. This is the standard body from the factor.

One of Tom's favorite streamlined Delahaye.

Tom is not sure on this one!!  Stumped him! — Tom is not sure on this one!! Stumped him!

This is a car that probably is not part of the Concours d'Elegance!!  It just joined up and drove along with them.  It is a hot rod and does not qualify for this car show.  It is a beautiful example of the Rolling Bones style. — This is a car that probably is not part of the Concours d'Elegance!! It just joined up and drove along with them. It is a hot rod and does not qualify for this car show. It is a beautiful example of the Rolling Bones style.

This is a Delage, a French luxury manufacturer.  Notice the selfie! — This is a Delage, a French luxury manufacturer. Notice the selfie!

The Tour is just one of many events going on all over the Monterey Peninsula. There are auctions at several large resorts. There was a nostalgia race car event at the famed Laguna Seca road race course. Tom needs an assistant to cover all of them!!

Petersen Museum

Carol Freshley February 25, 2016

It’s a controversial subject throughout the traditional hot rod world; the euro-gentrification of the Petersen Museum, funded by the late car magazine magnate Robert Petersen. Bugatti collector Peter Mullin had his way, and his namesake's first floor gallery is filled with 20 prime examples of world-class French coach built sculpture. A well-informed guard assured Tom that there are enough art deco cars in the vault to completely change the exhibit semi-annually.

While hot rods and customs do play a lesser role in this incarnation, they are still well represented with definitive examples, demonstrating them to be an important part of overall car culture. The new museum combines history, design, technology, education, beauty and whimsy to create a definitive world-class destination automobile museum experience.

Some nicely restored motorcycles are also on display.

Someone spent 90 million bucks on the museum’s redesign and I believe they got their money’s worth. The faux Gehry wrap on the outside is a bit over-the-top, to be sure; but it certainly brings visual attention to “that new car place” that resides in the middle of Museum Row on Wilshire Blvd.

One more very nice thing . . . the displays are so photographer-friendly! Tripods are not allowed, but the displays are usually well lit and moderate ISO values on a camera that can handle ISO well will give you pretty decent photos. If you decide you would like to check out the museum, purchase your tickets online in advance. That way you can go right to the front of what can be a long line waiting to get tickets at the door.